I am not sure if i am writing this response in the right spot, but i will anyway.
I think that you raise some excellent points, and there is an awful lot of expansion which can and should be done, even before we actually expand to certain areas. Firstly, Preseason cup. I like this idea, and i think that we can/should get rid of trials all together, so that we get more arranged preseason games. I think a loose series of competitions is the best option, where groups of say 8 teams all play knockout series against each other over 4 weeks, with sides using trial selections and rules, but development teams like country teams, WA teams, Central Coast Teams, QRL teams etc all getting a shot at NRL side or sides. I think that the NRL should organise some high profile trials in key development areas. Whether it is by way of formal competition/s or something similar is not relevant, so long as the trials are strategically played. Incidentally, arranging appropriate Pay tv or internet coverage of some of the key games might work okay too.
The origin weekend. I really cant see any possible reason why this shouldnt be standalone midweek, with no split rounds. This would allow international games to be high profile NZ, Tonga, Samoa, Ireland, Scotland, Wales France PNG fiji etc all could and should be playing meaningful tests on this weekend. I dont think that there is any doubt whatsoever about this.
The Grand Final Weeks, I agree that rep games should be played to make up the number of games on a Grand final weekend. I think at the very least, it would be great to see some All black tests against the smaller nations, using players not involved in the NRL grand final. I know there is a bit of a problem with unavailability, but televising these games would be the perfect way to get publicity for them, and it would only be a matter of time, before the Kiwis are knocked off and as a result, international football would take off.
On the non inclusion of Kiwis in the NRL, i think you are wrong on this one. NZ simply cannot produce a comp to compete with the NRL. There only hope of doing this would be too get say 6-8 clubs in the NRL and then break away. Even then, it is doubtfull that they would be able to or that the NRL would actually want them to. Their best option is to work on first Wellington, then Christchurch, then Dunedin and finally a second Auckland or other area. Realistically, i think that both Wellington and Christchurch have better prospects of successfully staging a team than even perth and Central coast. I think that they should be the next cab off the rank, although they dont really seem to have the right business men actively seeking a side.
And finally, i think that playing games away from home for some of the Sydney teams is a must. In the years from now, it is a must to play games in the strategic areas that need promotion and suring up before they enter teams. And this needs to be done without the threat of traditional clubs being forced to relocate or not supported when they are in financial troubles. It must be made clear that expansion is a separate issue to cutting sydney teams and no more cuts will be forced or help refused to struggling clubs due to expansion issues.
I think that with a bit of simple planning clubs where there are many close Sydney clubs like Cronulla, Souths, easts etc, could easily give up up to 3 home games a year to play in expansion areas, like Christchurch, Wellington, perth, Adelaide etc. With the right strategy, Perth could get 6 games a year without having a team, same with Wellington and Christchurch, with NRL assistance, this could included proper development and promotions.
As a sweetener to season ticket holders who miss out here, i think that the NRL should have a centralised season ticket, so that a season ticket would actually get you free entry to every single NRL game (that isnt sold out).
